Does Brooklyn Nets guard Caris LeVert Have What it Takes to be an All-Star?
The Brooklyn Nets have a gem on their team in guard Caris LeVert. LeVert had the game of his career this month against the Boston Celtics.
The former University of Michigan star dropped 51 points in a comeback overtime win. He shot 17-26 from the field and 5-10 from behind the arc.
With Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant both out for the Nets, LeVert is starting to look like an All-Star type player. Playing like the way he is now, he can make a case for next season.C
Caris LeVert’s path to the league
Caris LeVert was selected with the 20th pick overall in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers, then traded to the Brooklyn Nets. Despite missing most of his senior season at Michigan due to a foot injury, LeVert still went in the first round.
LeVert did not participate in the Summer League as he was recovering from his injury. He made his NBA debut on Dec. 7, 2016, and despite missing some of the season, he still made the NBA All-Rookie team.
The next season LeVert started to develop as a player who could play more than one position. At 6’6, LeVert is naturally a two-guard or small forward, but he took on the role of point guard during his sophomore season and did not disappoint.
He was able to display his versatility on the court and show why he belongs in the league. Coming off an impressive year number two, LeVert was ready to show how he improved from the previous season. And he was doing just that.
He was in the conversation of Most Improved Player, early in the 2018 season. Just when everything was going well, LeVert suffered a bad leg injury and missed a few months.
After missing 42 games, he returned to action in February of 2019. LeVert has dealt with injuries since college, but he has not let them stop him from becoming the player he knows he can be.
Playing on an All-Star level
After suffering a thumb injury in November of 2019, LeVert has blossomed into a high-level player this year. This Brooklyn Nets team will cause a lot of problems for the opposing team’s defense, especially when Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving come back next season.
With LeVert and Spencer Dinwiddie, the Nets have multiple players who can score. LeVert has been playing on another level. Through 35 games, he is averaging 17.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg, abd 3.8 apg.
LeVert is starting to become the player to go to while Durant and Irving are out. He’s not afraid of the big moment, and when his team needs a basket, he knows how to get it.
If he continues to play like this for the remainder of the season and carries that play into next season, you may see him on someone’s roster during All-Star weekend.
Caris LeVert will be an essential piece when Durant and Irving return
The Brooklyn Nets will be a championship contender when they are back healthy. With Durant and Irving back in the mix, LeVert can serve an important role on the team.
Not only can he score, but he’s a playmaker. He knows how to get his teammates involved, and he knows how to accept his role on a team.
Irving and Durant are two players who have the ball in their hands most of the possessions, and LeVert can have that load taken off his back when they are back on the court.
But, don’t think that he still won’t go out there and perform at the highest level, because he will.
This Brooklyn team will be a threat in the league when everyone comes back.